Young Sam Edelman, diving in Israel.

Sam Edelman shares life story from scuba diving in Israel to becoming a KFC viral sensation

Sam Edelman radiates energy. It’s the kind of energy that creates a community – it brings people together, lifts people up

SAM Edelman radiates energy. It’s the kind of energy that creates a community – it brings people together, lifts people up.

This entrepreneur became a worldwide viral hit, with his quest for his Alice Springs KFC store to receive a Michelin star.

Sam is a key driving force for our community- he sponsors everything from a Pirate Ship (Henley-on-Todd) to the Netball comp, and brings the youth organisation Reach to Alice every year to help out our kids.

His wonderful fiancee Jewelz and beautiful kids Isaac and Mia are testament to a man with the heart of a lion.

It all began with an exotic childhood, shared between music festivals in Melbourne and deep-sea diving in Israel.

“We were pretty alternative growing up. My Mum, Kathy, used to take us on a Hippie festival tour,” he said.

“We’d do ConFest at Christmas, go down crazy mud slides, everyone was walking around naked all the time. We’d go and see bands, it was a very light hearted atmosphere.”

But it was also a childhood of great ingenuity and fortitude.

“Mum bought a house, and it burnt down the night before settlement. All that was left was the chimney,” he said.

Read the article by Lachlan Wills in NT News.